The context
In the year 2000, the Italian Ministry of Environment and Territory (IMET, later Ministry of Ecological Transition) and the State Environmental Protection Administration of China (SEPA, later MEE) signed a joint declaration that started the Sino Italian Cooperation Program for Environmental Protection – SICP). This joint declaration identified the regional and global extent of environmental issues, as well as the need to find effective and lasting solutions through international collaboration, specifically with regard to joint activities between China and Italy. In the Joint Statement, the two Ministers agreed that the cooperation between Italy and China in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development is of mutual benefit and shall further promote the friendly relations between the two countries.
Particularly, the two countries agreed to join synergies in the following fields:
- air pollution reduction and control
- water quality management
- waste management
- cleaner production processes
- ozone-depleting substances substitution
- promotion of renewable resources and energy efficiency
- sustainable agriculture
- biodiversity
Since its beginning, SICP has involved numerous Chinese institutions: the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Municipalities of Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin, the Tongji University, the Tsinghua University, the Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Throughout the years, Sicp has implemented numerous projects and programs with 31 Provinces, independent regions and Municipalities in China.
It has increasingly gained acknowledgement from China and Italy’s Government leaders and it is now a pivotal part of the broader strategic partnership between Italy and China, thus becoming an excellent model of bilateral cooperation.
On a global level, capacity building and training have been gaining importance, also in the light of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Heads of State and Government have committed to protect the plant from degradation, also though the adoption of sustainable production and consumption patterns, sustainable management of resources, promotion of wellbeing and urgent actions on climate change to support present and future generations.
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The Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development foresees 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets. The scheme shall end all forms of poverty, end hunger, fight inequalities, promote the sustainable management of resources and the economic and social development. In 2015, the 193 UN countries adopted the SDGs that focus on an action plan for people, the planet and its prosperity. The Goal 17 strengthens the need to implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and to reinforce a joint efforts from the public sector, private sector and civil society, for sustainable development, through the implementation of capacity building courses. The Sicab project places itself within this context. The global partnership shall also enhance national capacities with the ultimate aim of supporting national schemes for the fulfillment of the goals of the Agenda 2030.
17
Sustainable Development Goals
169
Targets
193
UN countries adherents
